When Someone Minimizes Your Anxiety Disorder
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When I do live broadcasts over on Twitter/Periscope, I never know what kind of crowd I'll get in there. Lately, it's been amazing people with the ability to open up and share their stories about mental illness. It's sort of become like a little support group. We also have people who work in the ER nurses and medical practitioners on there contributing to the conversation to give us a better idea of what others go through as well and how they cope with certain situations in the emergency department. We speak about medications, as well as natural ways to try and relieve stress and anxiety. Everyone is different, so what may work for one person may not work for the other. But the entire glue that keeps us talking is that we know we are not alone in this battle. We know that other people like ourselves are out there, willing to have the talk---willing to have an open dialogue about mental health.
Thing is, I'm not a psychologist or claim to be a know-it-all. I'm a "psyche patient"---a woman who also struggles with anxiety attacks as well as receives counseling. I share my stories on my blog and on my live streams so that maybe, I can help someone else who is struggling too. I mainly like to talk about what helped me cope, instead of just sitting there complaining. There's nothing wrong with seeing a therapist or psychiatrist for help. In this day of age, I'm surprised there are still people out there not using these types of services.
For me, I suffer from PTSD, anxiety disorder and some depression. I'm typically a very happy person, until the anxiety strangles me into becoming an agoraphobic isolated mess. But I always rise up again. My main source of comfort has always been praying to Jesus. He has given me a mighty inner strength and peace that I can't even put into words. But the thing is, I have to keep at it---keep in constant communication with God so that I can benefit from His strength. Sometimes, the only thing I can do is thank Him in the storms. I'm going through this for a reason, and I think the reason is getting clearer and clearer by the minute. I've been finding myself helping those who struggle too---relating to them---sharing myself so that they don't feel so isolated like I did.
There are some wonderful passages in the Bible that helps me stand tall when all I wanna do is curl up in a corner and hide.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ---Matthew 11:28-30
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not be afraid." ---John 14:27
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." ---Psalm 55:22
"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." ---Proverbs 12:25
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." ---Psalm 56:3
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, or what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his spendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you? You of little faith! So do not worry, saying, 'What shallow eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ---Matthew 6:25-34
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ---Philippians 4:6-7
These are just some of the helpful scriptures for when you're feeling anxious and worried. They've help me a lot. There's so much more in the Bible that you can choose from. If you need a really good Bible that has a guidance section on worry, anxiety, depression, grief---all topics, I suggest getting The Promise Bible. It's a great place to start if you're a new Christian.
Another thing I have learned is to never own the anxiety or depression---whatever you are suffering with. Never say, "*My* anxiety is really bad today," or "*My* depression is killing me." Words have power. Speak down to them: "*This* anxiety is lessening the more I pray," or "*The* depression has lifted and I feel better." It's a hard habit to break, because we're all so used to claiming "our anxiety" or "our depression." But it makes sense, right?
If you'd like to join me for a chat on my live broadcast, come see me over on Periscope. I talk about different topics and I also cook over there, with some interesting conversations. Cooking relieves my stress, so it's one of my favorite things to do. Other things that relieve the anxiety is playing guitar, having friends over, writing in my journal and speaking to my therapist, as well as the group over on Periscope.
And please remember, whenever somebody minimizes your suffering, know that this is a huge indication of psychological projection. Nobody would ever mock you if they weren't suffering. Hurt people hurt, and that's a fact.
If you ever need to contact me, please feel free to use the form on the right side of this blog, or you can DM me over on Twitter. For now, take care and feel better!
For more of Deb's articles, please visit: www.debrapasquella.com or join her on Facebook and Twitter. Check out her cooking blog for some of her famous recipes!